Starbucks Organizational Analysis Essay

Starbucks was bought out by current CEO Howard Schultz in 1987. Since then, Andrew Harrer (2012) reports the company has grown to operate over “17,244 stores worldwide” (para. 1). Fortune (n.d.) reports in its yearly 100 Best Companies to Work for that Starbucks employs “some 95,000 employees”. From only a handful of stores in 1987 to a billion dollar franchise today, the success of Starbucks is due in great deal to their corporate culture, specifically how employees, or as Starbucks calls them, partners are treated. Joseph Michelli (2007) echoes this sentiment, “A great cup of coffee is only part of the Starbucks success equation” (p. 767).

Starbucks operates in 65 countries offering specialty coffee, tea, and food items to patrons through company-operated stores (Starbucks Corporation, 2014). Moreover, Starbucks sells trademarked items such as coffee grounds and pre-packaged drinks through grocery stores and similar channels (2014). In 2014, there were 21,366 stores globally (14,191 in America) (2014).

The first Starbucks opened in 1971, in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. The name, inspired by Moby Dick. Howard Schultz (Starbucks chairman, president and chief executive officer) had first walked into a Starbucks store. “He had a vision to bring the Italian coffeehouse tradition back to the United States. A place for conversation and a sense of community.” A third place between work and home. From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. ("Company Information | Starbucks Coffee

1. In the beginning, how was Starbucks different from other coffee options for coffee drinkers in the United States? What activities and assets did Starbucks leverage to differentiate itself from competitors?

Today, Starbucks coffee an American global coffee company has 21,160 stores in 63 countries. Coffee shop that scored top rating for customer satisfaction in 2008 American customer satisfaction index. With its practices, Starbucks take advantage in the five stages in consumer purchase decision making process. Next, Starbucks’ marketing strategy

The original Starbucks was founded in 1971, in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market, by three owners Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker; who later hired Howard Schultz to be their director of sales in 1982 (Sun). During one of Schultz’s trip to Italy, he saw the essence of how cozy little coffee shops on neighboring street corners played a vital role in the social life of most Italians. It was the main point for the neighborhood, where friends met, mingled

Starbucks initially was a small structure, run by three partners in a small shop in Seattle. The company then was restricted to selling only whole bean and ground coffee. It was typically a top down structure were the three people in the top management were the decision makers. In 1984, when Schultz suggested the idea of selling coffee and expresso drinks, the directors of Starbucks rejected the idea, in spite of the fact that the move would have made more profit for the company. This displayed the rigidity of the management towards any changes in the business.

Howard Schultz has played an important role in the creation and expansion of Starbucks. However, Schultz was not one of the founders of Starbucks as is commonly thought. Starbucks was started in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegel, and Gordon Bowker who opened up Starbucks as a place to share their love of coffee with their customers (Thompson, Peteraf, Gamble, Strickland III, & McGraw-Hill, 2013). The first four stores did not include purchasing coffee like the Starbucks we now know. Instead, the first stores sold coffee beans which were roasted in another facility not far away, and encouraged their customers to learn more about grinding and brewing coffee at home.

In 1971, Starbucks started as a small coffee shop which targeted a specialized market of coffee purists. Howard Schultz, who later owned the company and initiated the high growth period, joined Starbucks’ marketing team in 1982. Main concept of Schultz marketing strategy was too make Starbucks “America’s third place” considering home and work the two other places where Americans spend most of their time. In 1992, Schultz acquired Starbucks and made an initial public offering. Despite Wall Street’s doubts about the IPO, $25 million was raised by Starbucks.

“We are not in the coffee business, serving people. We are in the people business, serving coffee”, Howard Schultz’s philosophy has shaped and continues shape Starbucks, the world’s number one specialty coffee retailer with over 21,000 outlets in more than 65 countries nowadays (Starbucks, 2011). Starbucks was founded in 1971 and Howard Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982. In 1987, Howard acquired Starbucks and changed the name to Starbucks Corporation.

Starbuck’s strategy focused on three components; high-quality coffee, intimate service, and ambient atmosphere. Starbucks worked closely with growers in Africa, South and Central America, and Asia-Pacific regions to insure the quality of its product. Starbucks called all employees' "partners" and worked hard to train them with the skills necessary to best serve the customer. The atmosphere at Starbucks was crafted after the European-style espresso bar. The company goal was to create ambience through the Starbucks "experience" and by making the area comfortable, yet upscale.

Starbucks is and will continue to be one of the largest distributers of a cup of coffee today and into the future.  The Starbucks mission to “inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time” directly correlates with the experience a customer has in each store. They have many ways to differentiate in comparison to competitors because they provide an experience while shopping for a coffee allowing them to charge a premium price.

Today, with more than 18,000 stores in 62 countries, Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. And with every cup, we strive to bring both our heritage and an exceptional experience to life.

Starbucks  is an international coffee company and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world, with 19,435 stores in 58 countries,

These days Starbucks owns more than 18,000 stores in 62 countries and is the premier roaster and retailer of exclusive coffee in the world. Back in 1971, when the first Starbucks opened, the company already had two intentions to give to people every single day till now: share specialty coffee with friends and help to make the world a little better.